Intro
DIALOG CITY ART FOR PUBLIC RESIDENCY PROGRAM invites professional artists to develop ideas for urban interventions addressing local or global issues of significance to the respective urban society through a participatory approach. The participating European cities for upcoming years are Mondoví (IT) in 2023, Graz (AT) in 2024, Aschaffenburg (DE), and Montpellier (FR) in 2025.
Mondovi (Italy)
The project NEWS FROM HOME by Anne Fehres and Luke Conroy, an artist duo specializing in socially engaged art practice, was selected for the first residency in Mondoví, Italy. During their four-week stay, they immersed themselves in the community, conducting research, collaborating with locals, and observing diverse community stories. Their focus was on capturing both objective and subjective narratives that blend global and local perspectives.
The artist duo Anne Fehres and Luke Conroy
The culmination of their residency was a mural depicting these stories, created using large format photographic composition on billboard paper affixed to an old wall in Mondoví’s medieval centre. The artwork was unveiled on July 20, 2023, as part of the HYBRID FESTIVAL and will remain in public space until time naturally fades it away.
Their project exemplified a successful blend of artistic vision with community engagement, contributing significantly to the cultural landscape of Mondoví while fostering dialogue and participation among its residents.
Publication available here.
Graz (Austria)
The second DIALOG CITY ART FOR PUBLIC RESIDENCY, titled LONGINGS, featured visual artist Lenka Holíková, who has lived and worked between Europe and Mexico. Her art focuses on migration and borders, reflecting her upbringing in a border region near Germany during the East-West division. Lenka’s recent work addresses the broader issue of forced migration, particularly relevant in Central Europe and Austria, which serves as a transit hub for migrants fleeing conflict and hardship.
Austria’s historical context, shaped by its past and recent conflicts, influences current attitudes toward migration, often exacerbated by populist movements that foster anti-immigrant sentiment. Media portrayals frequently highlight negative aspects of migration, affecting public perception.
Holíková’s project connects research with artistic expression, emphasizing migrant narratives linked to Graz through collaboration with the Graz Museum and individuals who have sought refuge there. Visitors were invited to witness this at the Graz Museum from 6 June to 1 September 2024.
The artist Lenka Holíková, in Graz